Preserved Brain

The CT scan of the mummy of the 5-year-old boy showed his preserved brain was in excellent condition even though he had been sacrificed some 500 years ago.

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The Maiden

Credit: copyright Johan Reinhard

Three Incan mummies sacrificed 500 years ago were regularly given drugs and alcohol before their death, particularly the eldest child called the Maiden…Read More »

(shown here), to make them more compliant, researchers have found. Less «

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Ingesting Coca

Credit: copyright Johan Reinhard

In the study detailed in the July 29, 2013, issue of the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, the team found that the younger children…Read More »

ingested coca and alcohol at a steady rate, but the Maiden consumed significantly more coca in her final year, with peak consumption occurring at approximately six months before her death. Less «

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Coca Quid

Credit: Johan Reinhard

The researchers also discovered a sizeable coca quid (lump for chewing) in between the teeth of the Maiden Incan mummy, suggesting the child was sedated when she died some 500 years ago.

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Author Bio

Jeanna Bryner

Before becoming managing editor, Jeanna served as a reporter for Live Science and SPACE.com for about three years. Previously she was an assistant editor at Scholastic's Science World magazine. Jeanna has an English degree from Salisbury University, a Master's degree in biogeochemistry and environmental sciences from the University of Maryland, and a science journalism degree from New York University.